Apparatus for guiding independently-moving elements



H. I. WASHBURN. APPARATUS FOR GUIDING INDEPENDENTLY MOVINQELEMENTS.

I APPLICAT ON FILED AUG.21. I9I7. 1,427,664.

Patented Aug. 29, 1922.

2 SHEETS-SHEET l.

Z r g Jirbatliliasizfium H. I. WASHBURN.

MENTS. APPLICAT ON FILED AUG.21. 19!?- Patented Aug. 29, 1922.

.2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

M m M G a & n I I m m A F 2 n" I II I III I APPARATUS FOR GUIDING INDEPENDENTLY MOVING ELE UNITED STATES.

PALIENT FHCE.

APPARATUS FOR GUIDING lNDEPfiNDENTLY MfivlNG ELEMENTS.

Specification of Letters Patent. Patqgnted Am g 29, 1922,

Application filed August 2]., 1917. Serial No. 187,495.

T 0 all whom it may concern:

Be it known that l. l-lnnennr l. Wasnnunrr, or": Laurel Springs, in the county of Camden and State of New Jersey, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Apparatus for Guiding Independently-lrloving Elements, whereof the following is a specification, reference being had to the accompanying drawings.

The invention relates to an apparatus and mechanism for guiding independently moving elements in a spiral course, and is particularly adapted for use in connection with agricultural implements, such as tractors and the like.

It is an object of the invention to provide an apparatus capable of guiding the independent element in a spiral of either increasing or decreasing radius.

A further object is to provide means whereby different rates of increase or decrease of the radius of the spiral may be produced. I

In the embodiment of my invention here illustrated and described, there are a cen trally mounted drum and flexible connecting or tether means, such as a wire, adapted to be attached to and to guide or control the moving element in its spiral course. As the element moves the wire is either wound or unwound upon the drum, thereby either de creasing or increasing the effective length of tether and the radius of the spiral. Additional means are provided in connection with the drum, in order to produce the proper spooling of the wire upon the drum, together with means for changing the rate at which the wire is wound upon the drum, whereby diilerent distances may be pro duced between the volutes of the spiral.

In the accompanying drawings, I, is

an elevation of an embodiment of my invention comprising a center post, drum and adjunctive parts adapted to be employed in gether with a centrally mounted guiding arm by which the spooling of the wire is controlled through the action of a threaded nut moving longitudinally on a screw mounted axially of the drum.

Referring more particularly to the draw ings, the apparatus consists of a hollow sup porting tether post or pipe 1, mounted upon base 2, and rigidly supported by means of stays 3, which are attached to arms 5, on crown piece 6. Extending through the center of pipe 1, and projecting from either end thereof is shaft 7, which is provided at its pper end with pinion 17, and at its lower end with a crank handle 9, capable of being engaged and held by catch 8, which is mounted on base 2, as shown in Fig. I. Mounted in continuation of pipe 1, and sur rounding the upper part of shaft 7, but free to rotate about the same, is sleeve 10, which carries bracket 11, projecting laterally therefrom and which in turn carries sleeve 12. A smaller sleeve 13, extends centrally through sleeve 12, and is free to rotate therein. Sleeve 13, projects below and above sleeve 12, and is closed at its lower end by screw cap 14. Drum 15. is rigidly attached to the upper projecting end of sleeve 13, by means of set screw 21, and is formed with an internal gear 16, adapted to mesh with pinion 17 for purposes hereinafter explained. Mounted within sleeve 13, and capable of both rotation and longitudinal. reciprocation therein is tubular shaft 25, which carries at its upper end a horizontal ly extending arm 30. This longitudinal reciprocation is controlled by screw 20, and threaded nut 22, mounted thereon. Screw 20, is held from rotation within sleeve 25, by means of lugs 19, which engage slots 18, in screw cap it, see Figs. II, 'VI, and VII. Nut 22, on the other hand. is rotatable on screw 20, but is united with the lower end of tubular shaft 25, by means of slots 26, formed in the end of the shaft, as shown in Fig. IV, which engage projections 27, formed on screw 20, as shown in Fig. V. Projections 27,'ei :tend upwardly from flange 23, which forms an abutment for the end of tube 25, so that tube 25, can only descend through the rotation of 11111.22, on screw 20.

The connecting means by which the moving element is controlled consists, in'the embodiment shown, of a wire 32, attached to drum 15, which passes over pulley 31, carried by arm 30. This pulley supports the wire and also serves the purpose of communicating a y motion of the moving ele ment to arm 30, and sleeve 25, which is attached thereto by set screw 29, for the purpose hereinafter described. Another pulley 36, is mounted in engagement with wire 32, beyond the end of arm 30, and is attached to 3, which is in turn pivotally at tached J3, to bracket 11, so that the same motion is transmitted to bracket 11.

in operation wire 32, is attached to the tractor or other independently moving elementwhich it is desired to guide. As wire 32, is moved, arm 35, moves with it, causing sleeve 10, to rotate about shaft 7, and moving sleeve 12, in a circular path around the same center. During this operation, shaft 7, and pinion 17, are held locked by means of catch 8, and handle 9, so that if arm 35, and sleeve 12, rotate in a clockwise direction as shown by the arrow in Fig. llLthe teeth of gear 16, engaging pinion 17, cause drum 15, to rotate independently in a counterclocle wise direction. The extent of this rotation depends of course upon the ratio of pinion 17, and gear 16, and drum 15, moves a distance equal to the number of teeth on pinion 17, vinding up that much of wire 32, as it goes. Consequently, with each rotation of drum 15, wire 32 is shortened an equal amount, so that the moving element is guided on spiral of constantly decreasing radius. Such rotation of drum 15, therefore, is produced by the angular movement of the cable 32, with movement of the independently movable element tethered thereby, by means of arm 35, and the mechanism operated thereby.

The proper spooling of wire 32, on drum 15, is produced by the longitudinal motion of arm 20, through the action of screw 20, and nut 22. At the beginning of the operation in the case of a decreasing spiral the parts occupy the position shown in Fig. 11, in which arm is at such a height as to cause pulley 31, to guide wire 32, on the upper part of drum 1?. The rotation of drum 15, however, also rotates sleeve 23, which rigidly connected therewith by means of set screw 21. Cap 1-1, rotates with sleeve 23, thereby turning screw 20, by means of lugs 19, which engage slots 18, in cap 1 1, as already explained. During the rotation of screw 20, nut 22, is held from rotation by means of the engagement of projections 27, with slots 26, and is, therefore, caused to travel downwardly in accordance with the extent of the rotation and the thread on screw 20. This downward. motion is proportioned to the extent of the rotation of the drum and results in lowering arm 30, and the proper spooling of wire 32, on drum The operation above described is the normal operation, but results in a very slight decrease of the radius at each rotation. lVhen it is desired to decrease the radius at a faster rate, I provide :tor increasing the rate at which the wire is wound upon the drum in the following manner: Bracket 40, projects from the lower end of sleeve 10, and is provided near its extremity with an aperture &1, which may be moved into opposition to aperture 1'2, in arm which projects laterally from crown piece 6, and is always stationary. In this position arm 40, and, therefore,sleeve lfhmay also be held station ary by inserting pin 45, in openings 41-1, and 1-2, thereby locking arms 10, and 43. In such position drum 15, is held from rotation about shaft 7, and also from rotation within sleeve 12, by means of pinion 7, which is locked by catch 8, and operates to prevent gear 16, from rotating. lVhen drum 15, is so locked, pulley 36, and arm 35, are disconnected from wire 32, and each rotation of the moving element about the drum as a center therefore winds on drum 15, an amount of wire 32, equal to the periphery of the drum, thereby decreasing the radius to that extent at each rotation.

In this'case the spooling operates in a slightly different manner for since drum 15, and consequently sleeve 23, are held stationary, screw 20, is also held stationary, but shaft 25, rotates with arm 30, thereby rotating nut 22, around the shaft and causing it ,to travel downwardly in the same manner as before, thus accomplishing the lowering of arm 30,and proper spooling of wire 32, on drum 15.

In case it is desired to start at the center and increase the radius of the spiral, wire 25, is wound on drum 15, which may be accomplished by rotating pinion 17, by handle until the wire is completely wound and the parts occupy the positions in which they will be found at the end of the operation as first described. The moving element is in this case moved in the opposite direetion and the wire unwound from the drum, the parts operating reversely to provide the unwinding of the wire and raising of arm 30, so that pulley 31, will always be at the proper height to guide wire 32, as will be obvious to those skilled in the, art,

In order to provide for the properlubrication of the parts, shaft 25, may belifted entirely out of sleeve 23, and the desired quantity of oil or lubricating medium placed within the opening. This is rendered possible by the slotted connection by which sleeve 25, engages nut After the oil has been inserted, the longitudinal travel of nut during the operation of the apparatus, causes an even distribution of the oil, which results in a very e'tlicient and simple system of lubrication.

It is obvious that my apparatus may be used in connection with any form of moving element which it is desired to guide in a.

spiral course, and further that changes may be made in construction and arrangement of parts without departing from the spirit of the invention. A

Having thus described my invention, I

claim: 1. Apparatus for guiding a tethered mov ing element comprising a tether post element, a tether and means, actuated by angular movement of the tethered element about said tether post element, for varying the length of tether so as to limit the moving element, when at the eXt-reiine of its tether, to a spiral course. 7

2. Apparatus for guiding a tethered moving element comprising a tether post element; a drum associated therewith; and means for rotating said drum to wind the tether cable thereon actuated by angular movement of the tethered element about said tether post element to decrease the length of the tether at aconstant rate, so as to limit the moving element to a spiral course or constantly diminishing radius when moving; in one direction around said tether post element at the extreme of the tether.

3. Apparatus for guiding a tethered moring element comprising a tether post element; a drum associated therewith; means for rotating said drum to wind a tether cable thereon actuated by angular movement of the tetheredelement about said tether post element to decrease the length of the tether at a constant rate, so as to limit the moving element to a spiral course of constantly diminishing radius when moving in one direction around said tether post element at the extreme of the tether; and means for spooling the tether upon said drum. I

4:. Apparatus for guiding a tethered movingelement comprising a tether post element; a rotary winding drum for the tether cable associated with said tetl er post element;'and means operable by the angular movement of" said cable with movement of the moving element angularly about said tether post element for rotating said drum to alter the eflective length of tether.

5. Apparatus for guiding a tethered moving element comprising a tether post ele ment; a rotary drum for the tether mounted to revolve about an eccentric point; means for causing said drum to revolve about said point actuated by angular movement of the tethered element about said tether post element; and means for causing said drum to revolve as it rotates, so as to alter the length of tether cable Wound thereon and thus vary the effective length of tether.

6. Apparatus for guiding a tethered moving element comprising a tether post element; a rotary drum for the tether mounted to revolve about an eccentric point; means 6,15 for causing said drum to revolve about said point actuated by angular movement of the tethered element about said tether post element; means for causing sald drum to revolve as it rotates, so as to alter the length of tether cable wound thereon and thus vary the effective length of tether; and means controlled by the rotation of the drum for spooling the tether cable thereon.

7. Apparatus for guiding tethered moving element comprising a tether post element; a rotary drum for the tether mounted to revolve about an eccentric point and having an internal gear thereon; a gear pinion meshing with said internal. gearymeans for causing said drum to revolve about said point actuated by angular movement of the tethered element about said tether post ele ment; and means for holding said gear pin ion stationary to cause said drum to rotate as it revolves, as to alter the length of tether cable wound thereon and thus vary the effective length of tether.

8. Apparatus for guiding a tethered moving element comprising a tether post element; a rotary winding drum for the tether cable associated with said tether post element; and means for rotating said drum and spooling the tether cable thereon actuated by angular movement of the tethered element about said tether post element.

9. Apparatus for guiding tethered moving element comprising a tether post element; a rotary winding drum for the tether cable associated with said tether post element; means tor rotating said drum actuated by angular movement of the tethered element about said tether post element; guide means for the tether cable; and means for causing said guide means to travel longitudinally or said drum to spool the cable thereon comprising a screw and nut co-arrial with said drum, one attached to said drum and the other to said guide means.

10. hp aaratus tor-guiding a tethered moving eleu'ient com 'ising atether post ele ment; a rotary winding drum tor the tether cable associated with said tether post element; means for rotating said drum actuated by angular movement of the tethered element abbut. said to her post element; mans for iding and spooling the t their cable including; an arm enga the i o a sleeve attached to id a amounted co-axial with said d w also mount-- an and connected ed coal Wli to revolve therewith. and threaded on said screw engaged witl rotation of said merit oi the tei'jher more axially thereof.

11. Appara tus for y a tethered moving element comprising a tether element; a rotary windi drum for the tether cable associated with said tether post element; means for rotating said drum actuatcd by angular movement of the tethered element about said tether post element; means for inn; cable including an and eeve arm mounted co-airi lly with said drum. a second sleeve attached to said drum surrounding that first mentioned. with cap on the end ther of a screw mounted in said second sleeve and engaged with said cap so as to rotate with said nd sleeve. and a nut threaded on said screw connected to said. first mentioned sleeve so that rotation of said arm with angularmovement of the tether cable shall cause it to move axially thereof.

12. Apparatus for guiding tethered moving element comprising a t tether post element; rotary winding drum for the "tether cable associated with said tether post element; means for rotating said drum actuated by angular movement of the tethered element about tether post element; means for guiding and spooling the tether cable including an arm engaged therewith and a sleeve attache to said arm mounted coa-ztially with said drum, a second sleeve attached to said drum surrounding that first mentioned with a slotted cap mounted in the end thereof, screw mounted in said second sleeve and having lugs in engagement with said cap so as to cause it to rotate with said second sleeve, and a nut threaded on said screw connected to said firstmentioned sleeve, so that rotation of said arm with angular movement of the tether cable shall cause it to move axially thereof.

13. Apparatus for guiding a tethered moving element comprising a teth r post element; a bracket revolva-bly mounted on said tether post element; a drum for the tether cable rotatably mounted. on said bracket; and means actuated by angular movement of the tethered element about said.

tether post element for causing said bracket to revolve and thereby causing said drum to rotate, so as to alter the length of tether cable wound upon the drum and thus vary the effective length of tether.

14.' Apparatus for guiding atethered moving element comprisinga tether post element a bracket revolvably mounted on said tether post element; drum for the tether cable rotatably mounted on said bracket; means actuated by angular movement of the tethered element about said tether post element for causing said bracket to revolve and thereby causing said drum to rotate in the opposite direction to that oil: the revolution of the bracket, so as to alter the length of tether cable wound upon the drum and thus vary the effective length of tether; and means actuated by angular movement 01" the tether cable about the tether post element for spooling it upon said drum.

. V l .ovmg element comprising a tether post a l. a bracket revolvably mounted on .Qd tether postelement: a drum for the cable rotatabl mounted on said i. having an internal gear thereon; means actuated by angular movement-of the tethered element about said tether post element for causing said bracket to revolve; a pinion on said tether post element meshing with said internal pinion on the drum 'lt'or causing the drum to rotate in a direction opposite to the direction of revoion of the bracket, so as to alter the length of tether cable wound upon the drum and ius vary the effective length 01" tether.

16. Apparatus for guiding a tethered movlug element comprising a tether post element; a bracket revolvably mounted. on said tether post element; a drum for the tether cable rotatably mounted on said bracket having an internal gear thereon; means actuated by angular movement of the tethered element about said tether post element for causing said bracket to revolve; a pinion on said tether post element meshing with said internal pinion on the drum for causing the drum to .rotatein a direction opposite to the direction of revolution of the bracket, so as to alter the length of tetherv cable wound upon the drum and thus vary the effective length of tether; means for locking said pinion against rotation to cause revolution of said drum as aforesaid or releasing it; and means for locking said bracket against revolution.

17. Apparatus for guiding a tethered moving element comprising a tether post element; a bracket revolvably mounted on said tether post element; a drum for the tether 5 cable rotatably mounted on said bracket; and means actuated by angular ,movement ot the tethered element about said tether post element for causing said bracket to revolve and thereby causing said drum to rotate in the opposite direction to that of the revolution of the bracket, so as to alter the length of tether cable wound uponthe drum and thus vary the effective length of tether, said means comprising an arm attached to said bracket and engaging the tether cable.

. Apparatus for guiding a tethered moving element comprising a tether post ele ment; a bracket revolvably mounted on said tether post element; a drum for the tether cable rotatably mounted on said bracket having an internal gear thereon; means actuated by angular movement of the tethered element about said. tether post element for causing said. bracket to revolve and thereby causing said drum to rotate; and means for rendering said last mentioned means inactive and for locking'said bracket against revolution.

19. Apparatus for guiding a tethered moving element comprising a tether post element; a bracket revolvably mounted on said tether post element; a drum for the tether cable rotatably mounted on said bracket; means including an arm engaging said cable actuated by angular movement thereor with movement of said movingelement angularly about said tether post element "for causing said drum to revolve and thereby causing said drum to rotate; and means for rendering said last mentioned means inactive and for lockin said bracket against revolution.

20. Apparatus for guiding a tethered moving element comprising a tether post element; a bracket revolvably mounted on said tether post element; a drum for the'tether cable rotatably mounted on said bracket; means including an arm engaging said cable actuated by angular movement thereof with movement of said moving element angularlv about said tether post element for causing said drum to revolve and thereby causingsaid drum to rotate; means for rendering said last mentioned means inactive and for locking said bracket against revolution; and means for guiding and spooling said tether cable actuated by angular movement of the cable as aforesaid and by rotation of the drum. y

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto signed my name, at Philadelnhia vPennsylvania this eighteenth da of August 1917. HERBERT r. WASHBURN. Witnesses JAMns H. BELL E. L. FULLERTON. 

